Researched Argument Essay

Throughout the semester, we have discussed many implications surrounding the Henrietta Lacks story. From issues of informed consent to concerns of access to quality healthcare, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks identifies numerous concerns related to medical practice, cultural perceptions of science, and bioethics. Further, the worldwide distribution of HeLa cells enables us us to question the ownership of our genetic material and, to some, understand the many positive impacts of one of the most prominent cell lines in history. There are seemingly endless conversations permeating the major topics introduced in Rebecca Skloot's book.

For this paper, it is your task to find a place in one of these conversations and engage in the discourse of this conversation through writing and research. In other words, you will engage in a critical conversation related to one of the themes, issues, or concerns introduced in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. You might be interested in a broader topic related to the medical field. If you elect to choose that route, be sure to connect your conversation – in some manner – to our course text. After finding your place in a specific conversation, locate yourself within it: take a stance, provide a thesis statement, and argue for that stance. In order to convince your reader, you must conduct research, critically read and evaluate that research, and respond by synthesizing your sources and information to provide a meaningful argument.

Purpose and Audience

There are many purposes for writing a paper that not only explores, but also seeks to argue. We have noted the often blending of analytical and argumentative research papers. Inevitably, you must both explore and argue in this paper. This will require you to take a position and present an argument explaining and justifying your position. This process involves careful consideration of other approaches to the topic/issue, and a recognition of those approaches in your essay. For this assignment, you must write in an academic tone and style, which involves writing for an academic audience.

Some Facts about Argumentative Essays:

• Controversial issues often have no “right” answer, no truth which everyone accepts as commonplace.
• Convincing arguments support a position and seek to earn the trust of readers by building an argument on common values and beliefs.
• Convincing arguments counter-argues opposing arguments but modifies its position to accommodate reasonable approaches to the same issue.

Basic Information:

This essay represents an expanded and more thoughtful contribution to a conversation. It retains many of the same elements that you considered in your prior assignments, including:

• An introduction which leads the reader into the topic (remember the inverted triangle: general to specific)
• A thesis statement which is both specific and arguable.
• Body paragraphs which are follow a general pattern of topic sentence, support, point, and transition (recall our discussion of the different methods of paragraphing)
• Evidence which is clearly presented and contributes to your argument. Remember to not only provide the evidence, display to your reader how it relates.
• A conclusion which synthesizes your major ideas and points to the topic in a more global sense
• Your personal knowledge, experience, and observations are valued.

Formatting, Length, and Research Guidelines:

Your paper must be at least 8 pages in length. You must utilize at least 5 different sources for your essay, two of which must be academic in nature (from a journal, text from the library, etc). It must follow MLA style formatting and guidelines, which involves using 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1.0” margins, and a works cited page. It also involves appropriate in-text citations. Consult your LB Brief handbook and your Writing Today textbook for a thorough description of MLA style.

To help guide your research, visit the ENGL 191/291 library course guide.

Evaluation:

• You choose an arguable topic (issue) related to the medical field and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
• You clearly and explicitly state a position on that topic and persuade readers to at least find reason and value on that position.
• You support your position with evidence and reasoning.
• You draw that support from credible sources. In other words, you demonstrate familiarity with what has been said, and present how these sources relate to your argument.
• You identify and refute obvious rejections to your position.
• Your essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Each paragraph has one and only one unified topic. The paragraphs flow well into each other and make for an interesting and engaging read.
• Your choice of words are precise and appropriate.
• Your writing is free of errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics and/or these errors do not obscure the main ideas.
• You provide, in MLA style, a works cited with at least 5 sources (two academic, three general) and cite these sources properly in the text of your essay.
• You provide a proposal, a preliminary list of sources, a rough draft, participate during peer review, and submit a final draft.

Proposal

You are required to submit a proposal before writing your research paper. This proposal may not reflect your exact plan, but it does help you begin to focus your approach to the topic you select. In your proposal, answer the following questions:
1. What is the topic you selected?
2. Why did you choose this topic?
3. How will you approach the topic?
4. What are some possible subtopics?
5. If you were to create a tentative thesis, what would it look like?

Still searching for a topic? Consult our list of possible topics.

Preliminary List of Sources

You are also required to submit a preliminary list of sources. Like the proposal, this list of sources may change as you begin drafting your essay. This list will help guide you in the right path so that you can begin the research process. This list must follow MLA style formatting and guidelines and fulfill the following criteria:
1. At least three general sources, with a sentence or two describing the source and how you will use each.
2. At least two scholarly/academic sources, with a sentence or two describing the source and how you will use each.

Looking for resources? Try out the ENGL 191 library course guide.

Important Dates:

Monday, November 5th - Proposal Due
Tuesday, November 6th – Library Research Session (*Meet in MC218)
Tuesday, November 13th – Preliminary List of Sources Due
Monday, November 19th – First Draft Due and Peer Review Session
Wednesday, November 21st – Final Draft Due (tentative)







Grading Rubric^[1]

	5	4	3-2	1-0
INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE	The paper demonstrates that the author fully understands and has applied concepts learned in the course. Concepts are integrated into the writer’s own insights. The writer provides concluding remarks that show analysis and synthesis of ideas.	The paper demonstrates that the author, for the most part, understands and has applied concepts learned in the course. Some of the conclusions, however, are not supported in the body of the paper.	The paper demonstrates that the author, to a certain extent, understands and has applied concepts learned in the course.	The paper does not demonstrate that the author has fully understood and applied concepts learned in the course.
TOPIC FOCUS	The topic is focused narrowly enough for the scope of this assignment. A thesis statement provides direction for the paper, either by statement of a position or hypothesis.	The topic is focused but lacks direction. The paper is about a specific topic but the writer has not established a position.	The topic is too broad for the scope of this assignment.	The topic is not clearly defined.
DEPTH OF DISCUSSION	In-depth discussion & elaboration in all sections of the paper.	In-depth discussion & elaboration in most sections of the paper.	The writer has omitted pertinent content or content runs-on excessively. Quotations from others outweigh the writer’s own ideas excessively.	Cursory discussion in all the sections of the paper or brief discussion in only a few sections.
COHESION, SPELLING & GRAMMAR	Ties together information from all sources. Paper flows from one issue to the next without the need for headings. Author's writing demonstrates an understanding of the relationship among material obtained from all sources. No spelling &/or grammar mistakes.	For the most part, ties together information from all sources. Paper flows with only some disjointedness. Author's writing demonstrates an understanding of the relationship among material obtained from all sources. Minimal spelling &/or grammar mistakes.	Sometimes ties together information from all sources. Paper does not flow - disjointedness is apparent. Author's writing does not demonstrate an understanding of the relationship among material obtained from all sources. Noticeable spelling & grammar mistakes.	Does not tie together information. Paper does not flow and appears to be created from disparate issues. Headings are necessary to link concepts. Writing does not demonstrate understanding any relationships Unacceptable number of spelling and/or grammar mistakes.
SOURCES & CITATIONS	More than 5 current sources, of which at least 2 are peer-review journal articles or scholarly books. Sources include both general background sources and specialized sources. Special-interest sources and popular literature are acknowledged as such if they are cited. All web sites utilized are authoritative. Cites all data obtained from other sources. MLA citation style is used in both text and the Works Cited.	5 current sources, of which at least 2 are peer-review journal articles or scholarly books. All web sites utilized are authoritative. Cites most data obtained from other sources. MLA citation style is used in both text and the Works Cited.	Fewer than 5 current sources, or fewer than 2 of 5 are peer-reviewed journal articles or scholarly books. All web sites utilized are credible. Cites some data obtained from other sources. Citation style is either inconsistent or incorrect..	Fewer than 5 current sources, or fewer than 2 of 5 are peer-reviewed journal articles or scholarly books. Not all web sites utilized are credible, and/or sources are not current. Does not cite sources.

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   Adapted from Cole Library, Cornell College http://www.cornellcollege.edu/LIBRARY/faculty/focusing-on-assignments/tools-for-assessment/research-paper-rubric.shtml